The Encyclopedia of Native-American Economic History - (Bio-Bibliographies in Art and) Annotated by Bruce Johansen (Hardcover)

About the Book

Economic themes underlie many aspects of Native American history from the fur trade, the devastating impact of European diseases, and the taking of Native American land to the current issues of uranium mining on Navajo land and casino gambling. Yet this is the first encyclopedia to analyze Native American history against an economic background. Describing the impact of Euro-American settlement from a Native American perspective, the book profiles the economies of roughly forty Native American tribes and nations from pre-Columbian times to the present. Other entries focus on demographics, such historical issues as the Allotment Act of 1887, and modern efforts at economic development. The book provides a valuable guide to an important area in Native American Studies and American economic history.

Basing entries on Native nations, the work includes peoples living in present-day Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. Along with nation profiles, the book includes historical information on demographics, economic conditions on reservations, and the economic basis for present-day attempts to increase Native American sovereignty. It is a concise, readable account of Native American history in a format suitable for undergraduates.

Book Synopsis

Economic themes underlie many aspects of Native American history from the fur trade, the devastating impact of European diseases, and the taking of Native American land to the current issues of uranium mining on Navajo land and casino gambling. Yet this is the first encyclopedia to analyze Native American history against an economic background. Describing the impact of Euro-American settlement from a Native American perspective, the book profiles the economies of roughly forty Native American tribes and nations from pre-Columbian times to the present. Other entries focus on demographics, such historical issues as the Allotment Act of 1887, and modern efforts at economic development. The book provides a valuable guide to an important area in Native American Studies and American economic history.

Basing entries on Native nations, the work includes peoples living in present-day Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. Along with nation profiles, the book includes historical information on demographics, economic conditions on reservations, and the economic basis for present-day attempts to increase Native American sovereignty. It is a concise, readable account of Native American history in a format suitable for undergraduates.

Review Quotes

.,."a welcome and readable contribution to the otherwise weak corpus of work on the subject....The true strength of The Encyclopedia is that it recognizes a gap in the existing literature and makes a worthwhile contribution to building Native American economic history as a field."-Native Americas

?...a welcome and readable contribution to the otherwise weak corpus of work on the subject....The true strength of The Encyclopedia is that it recognizes a gap in the existing literature and makes a worthwhile contribution to building Native American economic history as a field.?-Native Americas

?[T]he focus on economics gives this a unique place on the shelf. Recommended for academic and large publc libraries.?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

?As the editors note in the introduction, little has been published specifically about Native American economics; instead, the topic is interdisciplinary, appearing as part of other works of history, anthropology, and political science. Johansen has pulled this information together into a single introductory resource, creating a unique and useful title.?-Choice

?The Encyclopedia of Native American Economic History is a promising publication that comprehensively examines the economic histories of tribal nations in North America. The entries contain succinct data, demographic information, tribal economic conditions, tribal sovereignty, and a reference list for further readins on each topic. This book provides clear examples of Native American economic contributions, beginning with the early agriculture influences of indigenous peoples on the eating patterns of the world's people. Finally, the book offers distinct examples of recent economic controversies such as the establishment of casinos and the sale of tax-free cigarettes to exercise tribal sovereignty.?-Multicultural Review

?This reviewer is unaware of any other single source covering such a wide range of Native American economic issues.?-American Reference Books Annual

"ÝT¨he focus on economics gives this a unique place on the shelf. Recommended for academic and large publc libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

..."a welcome and readable contribution to the otherwise weak corpus of work on the subject....The true strength of The Encyclopedia is that it recognizes a gap in the existing literature and makes a worthwhile contribution to building Native American economic history as a field."-Native Americas

"[T]he focus on economics gives this a unique place on the shelf. Recommended for academic and large publc libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

"As the editors note in the introduction, little has been published specifically about Native American economics; instead, the topic is interdisciplinary, appearing as part of other works of history, anthropology, and political science. Johansen has pulled this information together into a single introductory resource, creating a unique and useful title."-Choice

"This reviewer is unaware of any other single source covering such a wide range of Native American economic issues."-American Reference Books Annual

"The Encyclopedia of Native American Economic History is a promising publication that comprehensively examines the economic histories of tribal nations in North America. The entries contain succinct data, demographic information, tribal economic conditions, tribal sovereignty, and a reference list for further readins on each topic. This book provides clear examples of Native American economic contributions, beginning with the early agriculture influences of indigenous peoples on the eating patterns of the world's people. Finally, the book offers distinct examples of recent economic controversies such as the establishment of casinos and the sale of tax-free cigarettes to exercise tribal sovereignty."-Multicultural Review

About the Author

BRUCE E. JOHANSEN is Robert T. Reilly Professor of Communication and Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. His academic specialty is the influence of Native American political systems on U.S. political and legal institutions. His best-known books in this area are Forgotten Founders (1982) and Exemplar of Liberty (1991). His most recent books include Native American Political Systems and the Evolution of Democracy: An Annotated Bibliography (Greenwood, 1996) and The Encyclopedia of Native American Legal Tradition (Greenwood, 1998).